Aircraft thievery protection apparatus and methods

ABSTRACT

An aircraft theft protection apparatus has two mating parts that encapsulate an electrical power connecter when the power connector is removed from the aircraft&#39;s power source. When the power connector is removed the electrical power to the aircraft is interrupted preventing the aircraft from starting its engines. When encapsulated a pin lock having a non duplicating key locks the two parts together preventing the power connector to be reconnected to the aircraft&#39;s power source. When the two mating parts are fitted together a unique space is provided which allows the power connector to fit therein.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

a. Field of the Invention

This invention relates in general to the field of preventing aircraft theft. It is known that most aircraft thievery occurs while the aircraft is on the ground. The present invention is therefore in particular related to preventing theft when the aircraft is on the ground by disabling the aircraft's main electrical power source. An interface electrical connector enables the aircraft's main power source. The aircraft's main electrical power source is disabled by disconnecting the electrical connector and by preventing the reconnection of the same. In this manner the aircraft cannot be powered up and cannot be stolen . . . .

b. Description of the Prior Art

Aircraft thievery is more common than most people realize. It can happen many ways e.g.: in the air; on the ground; while the aircraft is taxiing for a take off; while the aircraft is in a hanger; or, while on the tarmac; to mention some but not all the ways an aircraft can be stolen. Thieves are extremely uncanny and inventive when it comes to stealing a plane.

A major concern is large planes with an empty weight of over 12,500 pounds. Because of their size and weight and with a full load of fuel they are considered potential flying bombs. As such they can create a large amount of damage if used for malicious purposes: Known ways to steal a large plane are the use of an enabled electrical power connector (i.e. one that is not disconnected from the main power source) or simply reconnecting the power connector which has been removed but not otherwise protected. As expected leaving the power connector connected to the power source, while against protocol, occurs all too often leaving the aircraft in a position to be stolen.

One prior art attempt to prevent theft of large planes is the use of “Medeco”® locks to lock the power connecter to the power source. Medeco® locks are essentially “burglar” proof and they are a good start to prevent theft.

Applicant is aware of only one prior art patent that indirectly concerns the subject matter of this application, i.e. U.S. Pat. No. 6,997,724 B2 entitled “Aircraft Battery Lockout Device: by Ronald J. Earl, issued Feb. 14, 2006 (hereinafter the “724” patent). In one embodiment of the '724 patent the electrical connector is removed and replaced by a key lockable device comprising a cover over the power receptacle which further utilizes ball bearings and a cam lock. In a second embodiment the power connector is removed and locked into a device which uses a key and ball bearings to lock and unlock the power connector. Thus the lockout ability of the '723 patent relies on keys and ball bearings in conjunction with a camming detent. Both embodiments of which can be overcome by the use of sufficient cunning to overcome the key, ball bearing-detent locking apparatus. Moreover, both embodiments involve relatively complicated mechanisms which make the fabrication and the use relatively difficult.

While the current use of Medeco® locks in conjunction with an aircraft's power source, has had the effect of reducing aircraft thefts they are not sufficient as a solution in and of themselves.

What is needed is an aircraft main electrical connector lockout apparatus that is simple in construction and easy to be used and which prevents the aircraft from powering up and be stolen. The present invention provides a power connector lockout device which uniquely encapsulates a removed electrical power connector and is essentially burglar proof and which effectively prevents a would be thief from stealing the aircraft even if the locked out main electrical connector is left within the aircraft.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention comprises apparatus that includes an enclosure for fitting therein a removed aircraft electrical power connector. Removal of the power connector prevents an aircraft's engines from starting; in this manner the removal of the power connector disables the aircraft. A first theft deterrent is created when the power connector is removed and is uniquely inserted in a specially constructed enclosure. A second theft deterrent comprises the use of a pin-like lock that connects the mating members of the locking enclosure. and prevents removal of the encapsulated power connector.

The simple but unique enclosure is created when the two mating parts of the inventive lockout device come together. The mating members are specially designed to fit within each other in a unique manner while encapsulating the power connector along with the attached electrical cables and “prongs” (not shown) that electrically connect the power connector to the power supply. Once enclosed within the locking device, the power connector cannot be removed either in a side to side direction or a front to rear direction and cannot be removed from the enclosure. The side to side direction is prevented by a by a cavity within the lockout apparatus. The front to rear direction is also prevented by the cavity as well as the locking apparatus itself. Finally, an aligned opening between in the two mating members is fitted with a pin-like lock. The unique configuration of the two mating members prevents an uninformed or unauthorized person not generally familiar with the locking device from disengaging the two mating members even without the pin-like locking mechanism. However, the addition of a pin like lock absolutely prevents unauthorized removal of the power connector, and of course, the theft of the aircraft.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an isometric illustration of a typical prior art power connector;

FIG. 2 illustrates the assembled inventive locking apparatus, without the power connector contained therein; further details of which are illustrated in the following additional drawings;

FIG. 3 illustrates the assembled inventive locking apparatus, with the power connector contained therein shown in phantom; FIG. 3 is a cross sectional view of the inventive main power connector taken along the line 3-3 of FIG. 2 showing how a first member of the locking device fits one within a second member and illustrates in phantom the main power connector as it is fitted to the locking device;

FIG. 4 depicts the encapsulated electrical connector within the inventive locking device with the further anti-theft means of a pin like lock;

FIG. 5 illustrates one member of the inventive locking device;

FIG. 6 illustrates the second member of the inventive locking device that fits within the first member; and,

FIG. 7 shows an initial step of the method used to fit the first and second members together by angling the two members in order to clear a lip on the second member.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

As required, detailed embodiments of the present invention are disclosed herein; however, it is to be understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely exemplary of the invention which may be embodied in various forms. Therefore, specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a basis for the claims and as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to variously employ the present invention in virtually any appropriately detailed structure. Further, the terms and phrases used herein are not intended to be limiting; but rather, to provide an understandable description operation, and advantages of the invention.

Referring now to FIG. 1 of the drawings there is depicted therein an isometric illustration of a typical prior art aircraft main power connector 10. The main power connector 10 includes a base or body portion 11, a knob 12 connected at the top of the base 11 and a subbase portion 13. A shaft 14 extends from the bottom of the power connector 10 that fits within and locks the power connector to the power source (not shown). Rotation of the knob 12 rotates the shaft 14 and locks it in place within the power source. When the shaft 14 is locked within the aircraft's power source, the aircraft is electrically connected (not shown) to the power source and the aircraft can be powered up ready for take off. (Assuming, of course, that the required and proper protocol is used) The base 11 contains through openings 15 which route power cables 16 and connect the power source to the aircraft. The subbase 13 is configured to mate with a fitting of the power source to assure correct connection of the power connector and includes prong like members (not shown) which are interposed between the power cables 16 and the power supply. The power connector 10 can be split along its horizontal middle and joined together by bolts 17 for the purpose of aiding in the placement of the power cables 16

When the aircraft is shut down, a proper shutdown procedure requires that the electrical power connector 10 be removed from the power source. Thus when the main power connector 10 is disconnected from the aircraft electrical system, the engines cannot be started and such comprises one aspect of an aircraft theft deterrent system. The power connector 10 can be simply disconnected by rotation of the knob 12, but if not, and or if the power connector 10 is disconnected but left in proximity near the power source, it is a simple matter for a thief to steal the plane. The present invention necessarily requires the power connector 10 to be disconnected from the aircraft electrical power source and enclosed in a lock out device in such a manner that the power connector 10 cannot be reconnected to the power source by an unauthorized person.

FIG. 2 shows the inventive main power connector lock out device 20 assembled without the power connector 10 fitted therein. This view is being shown for the sake of clearly for understanding the assembly of and the fitting together the two members 21 and 22 of the lock out device 20 (See also FIGS. 5 and 6 which show the individual members 21 and 22). Referring to FIGS. 2, 5, and 6, each member 21 and 22 includes an extending arm 23 and an inwardly projecting flange 24. A cavity or cutout 25 within the mating members 21 and 22 is configured to fit the subbase 13 and the shaft 14. The space 26 between the extending arms 23 and under the flanges 24 within the assembled lock out device 20 closely fits there within the main body 11 of power connector 10 (see FIG. 4). Because of the unique method of assembling the lockout device 20 with the power connector 10 therein, and due to the internal configuration of lockout apparatus 20, an unauthorized person would not readily determine how to dissemble the lockout device 20 and remove the power connector 10. A lip 29 at the outside remote end 28 of member 21 further maintains the fitting of members 21 and 22 and the power connector 10 enclosed therein.

The power connector 10 is usually made up in two halves that are separated about a horizontal axis of the body 11 of the power connector. The two halves are then secured by bolts 17 located between the two cable openings 15. As noted above, the separable body 11 halves help in the insertion of the power cables. The flanges 24 of the lockout connector 20 can cover the bolts 17 to prevent their removal and prevent unauthorized access to the electrical cables 16 at their electrical junction within the electrical connector 10.

FIG. 3 is side cross sectional illustration of the apparatus of FIG. 2 taken along the line 3-3. FIG. 3 shows the side profiles of members 21 and 22 and the formation of the space 26 between the extending arms 23 (FIG. 2). Also shown is the cavity, cutout, or space 38 between the vertical ends 32 and 33 of members 21 and 22 which space serves to fit therein the connector shaft 14 and any prongs (not shown) of the power connector 10. As seen, the power connector shaft 14 that extends down from the bottom of the power connector 10 is also encompassed by the lockout device 20 and when so encased, the power connector cannot be connected to the aircraft's electrical source. In other words, the electrical power connector 10 and the attached shaft 14 are fully captured (except for the knob 12) within the lockout device 20 and cannot be connected to the power source.

A through hole 34 in member 21 (see FIG. 2) when aligned with the through hole 31 in member 22 allows the fitting there through of in a pin-like lock. The pin-like lock as known in the prior art essentially comprises a shaft having flange at each end thereof wherein on or both of the flanges include a Medeco® locking mechanism.

FIG. 4 shows the inventive locking device 20 with the main power connector 20 fitted within the inventive locking device 20. Here it can be seen how the locking device 20 is seriously compact and almost completely surrounds the power connector 10. FIG. 3 illustrates how the member 22 fits within member 21 and abuts against lip 29. The holes 31 and 34 are aligned when the locking device 20 encloses the power connector 10 as shown in FIG. 4. The aligned holes 34 and 31 are configured to fit therein a pin-like lock 39 which absolutely prevents the power connector from being removed from the locking device 20 by an unauthorized person. The pin-like lock may be of the type such as a Medeco that prevents the key from being duplicated or the internal locking mechanism from being “picked”. The pin-like lock may also be of a type that opens and closes by a remote device that emits a coded electrical signal.

FIGS. 5 and 6 show the details of one configuration of the members 21 and 22 of the lockout apparatus 20. As seen in FIGS. 5 and 6 the inside configuration of member 21 is configured to fit fairly closely to the outside shape of member 22 and such that the members 21 and 22 fit or mate together as seen in FIGS. 2 and 3. When such mating is accomplished the space 26 (FIG. 2) within the lock out device 20 closely approximates that of the body 11 of the connector 10. The cavity 25 (FIG. 2) encompasses the subbase 13 and the connector shaft 14. Thus, when the connector 10 is fitted within the locking device 20, the power connector 10 is virtually encapsulated by lock out device 20, and cannot be connected to a power source.

Also seen in FIG. 5, is that the remote end 28 of member 21 includes an upwardly extending lip 29 which is intended to and does fit around the semi-rounded end of member 22 when the connector 10 is fitted within the locking device 20 (see FIGS. 2, 3 and 4). The lip 29 aids in maintaining the members 21 and 22 in a front to rear direction which additionally maintains the encompassed electrical connector 10 in a front to rear direction while the flanges 24 maintain the electrical connector 10 in an upward direction. This is not to imply or suggest that the other aspects of the configuration of members 21 and 22 play no part in encompassing the electrical connecter and preventing the electrical connector 10 from being reinserted or reconnected to the power source. It is the total unique configuration of the members 21 and 22 that function together in securing the electrical connector 10. For example the cavity 25 in member 21 when mated with member 22 provides the space to fit the subbase 13 within the cavity 25; and vertical ends 32 and 33 of members 21 and 22 provide a space for the shaft 14. From the bottom inside surface of lip 29, the surface 35 of member 21 slopes downward and coincides with the sloped bottom surface 36 of member 22. This is seen more clearly in FIG. 3. The sloped surfaces 35 and 36 serve to assist the insertion of member 22 into the lockout device when the electrical connector 20 is fitted within the lockout device 20.

FIG. 7 comprises a view of members 21 and 22 at the beginning of the unique method of assembling the lockout apparatus 20 (without the main power connector 10 being shown for purposes of clarity) such that all of the above mentioned configurations come together at the same time and result in the encompassed electrical connector as seen in FIG. 4. As seen member 22 is being inserted into end 28 of member 21 and such that each are slightly angled relative to each other and (the flanges and the extending arms necessarily being also slightly angled to each other). It is to be noted that should the main power connector 10 be fitted within the space 26 (FIG. 2) further insertion of member 22 may result in a slight interference with lip 29 requiring a small amount of force to fully insert member 22 within the cutout portion 37 in member 21. The slight amount of interference would exist because of the need to clear the lip 31 and simultaneously fit together the slopes 35 and 36. Such interference actually benefits the invention by providing a snug fit of the connector 10 when assembled within the lock out device 20. When member 22 is fully inserted without the power connector the configuration of FIG. 3 results. When members 21 and 22 are assembled along with the power connector 10, the configuration of FIG. 4 results.

The previously mentioned interference functions to provide a simple geometric locking feature which in practice can assist in preventing the enclosed main power connector 10 from being removed from the lockout device 20 without the use of a pin like lock. In other words, to remove the enclosed main power connector a positioning force and angling in reverse to the assembly positioning force (see FIG. 7) must be used to separate members 21 and 22. Such subtle maneuvering would not be obvious to an unauthorized person.

In operation, upon landing an aircraft and shutting down the engines and the electrical system, the pilot (or other designated person) rotates the knob that mechanically disconnects the electrical connector from the electrical source with the electrical cables in place within connector 10. The power connector 10 is then inserted within the lock out device 20 as described above and further secured by a pin-like locking device that fits within aligned holes 33 and 34 in the assembled lock out device. Since the power connector cannot be connected to the power source, the lock out device and the power connector may be left in the aircraft and still prevent theft of the aircraft. The non-duplicating key, if used, can be carried by a responsible person such as the pilot in the same manner as one would carry his or her car or house keys. When it is time to use the aircraft in flight, the responsible person simply unlocks the pin-like lock, removes the power connector and reconnects it to the power source. The lockout device is then stored in an appropriate place for further use. In accordance with the present invention, the locking and unlocking of the power connector and thus the respective disabling and reenabling the power source of the aircraft is very reliable, simple, and compact.

While the invention has been described, disclosed, illustrated and shown certain terms or certain embodiments or modifications which it has assumed in practice, the scope of the invention is not intended to be nor should it be deemed to be limited thereby and such other modifications or embodiments as may be suggested by the teachings herein are particularly reserved especially as they fall within the breadth and scope of the claims, drawings and description of the invention here appended. 

We claim:
 1. A lock out device for an aircraft electrical connector that has been removed from the electrical supply of the aircraft comprising a first member and a second member said second member fitting within said first member, each member having a base portion, an arm extending from said base portion and a flange attached to said extending arms, said flanges and said extending arms having a horizontal space and a vertical space there within when said first and second members are fitted together
 2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said vertical and horizontal space fits therein a portion of a the connector containing electrical cables.
 3. The apparatus of claim 1 where said second member includes a curved back portion, said back portion merging into a first downwardly sloped surface.
 4. The apparatus of claim 3 wherein an end of said first member includes an upwardly extending lip which fits around said curved back portion of said second member when said first and second members are assembled together.
 5. The apparatus of claim 4 where said first member include a second sloped surface that coincides with said first sloped surface when said first and second members are assembled together.
 6. The apparatus of claim 4 wherein said first and second sloped surfaces are substantially mirror images of each other such that the slope of the second member lies flat against the sloop of said first member when said first and second members are fitted together.
 6. The apparatus of claim 1 including an aligned opening between said first and second members when joined together
 7. The apparatus of claim 6 wherein a pin like locking device is fitted to said aligned holes.
 8. A method for assembling a lock out device for an aircraft electrical connector that has been removed from the electrical supply of an aircraft, said lock out device comprising a first member and a second member said second member fitting within said first member, each member having a base portion, an arm extending up from said base portion and an inwardly directed flange attached to said extending arms, said flanges having a horizontal and vertical space there between said first member having an upwardly extending lip at an end of said first member comprising the steps of: placing the connector between the flanges of the two members; slightly angling the two members relative to each other; bringing said second member in contact with the lip of the first member; inserting said second member over the lip of the first member; and, fully inserting said second member into said first member.
 9. The method of claim 8 wherein said first and said second members when assembled together include aligned holes in both members comprising the steps of inserting a pin-like lock through the aligned holes and locking said pin-like lock. 